4 0 thou, at whose almighty word,

Fair light at first from darkness shone,
Teach us to know our glorious Lord,
And trace the Father in the Son.

5 While we thine image, there displayed,
With love and admiration view,
Form us in likeness to our Head,
That we may bear thine image too.

250

L. M.

Doddridge.

Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. 1 TO thee, O God, we homage pay, Source of the light that rules the day; Who, while he gilds all nature's frame, Reflects thy rays, and speaks thy name. 2 In louder strains we sing that grace Which gives the Sun of righteousness, Whose nobler light salvation brings, And scatters healing from his wings. 3 Still on our hearts may Jesus shine With beams of light and love divine; Quickened by him, our souls shall live, And cheered by him, shall grow and thrive. 4 O, may his glories stand confessed, From north to south, from east to west; Successful may his gospel run,

Wide as the circuit of the sun.

5 When shall that radiant scene arise, When, fixed on high in purer skies, Christ all his lustre shall display

On all his saints through endless day?

251

S. M.

NEEDHAM.

Christ the Light of the World.

1 BEHOLD, the Prince of Peace,
The chosen of the Lord,
God's well-beloved Son, fulfils
The sure, prophetic word.

2 No royal pomp adorns

This King of righteousness; Meekness and patience, truth and love, Compose his princely dress.

3 The Spirit of the Lord,

In rich abundance shed,

On this great prophet gently lights,
And rests upon his head.

4 Jesus, thou Light of men,

Thy doctrine life imparts;

O, may we feel its quickening power,
To warm and glad our hearts!

5 Cheered by its beams, our souls
Shall run the heavenly way :

The path which Christ has marked and trod Will lead to endless day.

COWPER.

252

C. M.

The happy Change.

1 HOW blest thy creature is, O God,

When, with a single eye,

He views the lustre of thy word,
The day-spring from on high!

2 Through all the storms that veil the skies,
And frown on earthly things,
The Sun of righteousness he eyes,
With healing on his wings.

3 Struck by that light, the human heart,
A barren soil no more,

Sends the sweet smell of grace abroad,
Where serpents lurked before.

4 The soul, a dreary province once
Of Satan's dark domain,

Feels a new empire formed within,
And owns a heavenly reign.

5 The glorious orb, whose golden beams
The fruitful year control,

Since first obedient to thy word,

He started from the goal,

6 Has cheered the nations with the joys

His orient rays impart ;

But, Jesus, 'tis thy light alone

Can shine upon the heart.

253

7s M.

MRS. BARBAULD.

Christ's Invitations.

1 COME, said Jesus' sacred voice,
Come and make my paths your choice;
I will guide you to your home;
Weary pilgrim, hither come.

2 Thou who, houseless, sole, forlorn,

Long hast borne the proud world's scorn,
Long hast roamed the barren waste,
Weary pilgrim, hither haste.

3 Ye who, tossed on beds of pain,
Seek for ease, but seek in vain;
Ye whose swollen and sleepless eyes
Watch to see the morning rise;
4 Ye, by fiercer anguish torn,
In remorse for guilt who mourn;
Here repose your heavy care;
A wounded spirit who can bear?
5 Sinner, come; for here is found
Balm that flows for every wound,
Peace that ever shall endure,
Rest eternal, sacred, sure.

254

C. M.

WATTS.

The Invitation of the Gospel

1 LET every mortal ear attend,
And every heart rejoice;
The trumpet of the gospel sounds
With an inviting voice.

2 Ho! all ye hungry, starving souls,
That feed upon the wind,

And vainly strive with earthly toys
To fill an empty mind,

3 Eternal Wisdom has prepared
A soul-reviving feast,
And bids your longing appetites
The rich provision taste.

4 Ho! ye that pant for living streams,
And pine away, and die,

Here you may quench your raging thirst
With springs that never dry.

5 The happy gates of gospel grace
Stand open night and day:

Lord, we are come to seek supplies,
And drive our wants away.

"Lovest thou Me"? John xxi. 16.

1 HARK, my soul; it is the Lord; "Tis thy Savior; hear his word: Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee,

Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou me?

2 "I delivered thee when bound,

COWPER.

And, when bleeding, healed thy wound;
Sought thee wandering, set thee right,
Turned thy darkness into light.

3 "Can a woman's tender care
Cease towards the child she bare?
Yes, she may forgetful be,
Yet will I remember thee.

4 "Mine is an unchanging love,
Higher than the heights above,
Deeper than the depths beneath,
Free and faithful, strong as death.

5 "Thou shalt see my glory soon,
When the work of grace is done;
Partner of my throne shalt be;
Say, poor sinner, lov'st thou me?"

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